Mdhu Koda to take oath as new Chief Minister on Sep 18

Ranchi, Sep 15 (UNI) Setting the ball rolling for alternative UPA government in Jharkhand, Governor Syed Sibtey Razi today invited the alliance-backed Independent MLA Madhu Koda to take oath as the fourth Chief Minister of the state.

Mr Koda will take oath at Morhabadi ground here at 1500 hrs and would prove majority by September 25.

Yesterday the 18-month-old BJP-led NDA government bowed out of power after Mr Arjun Munda resigned without facing the floor test, paving the way for Mr Koda to form an alternative government.

Mr Munda-led NDA government was reduced to a minority following withdrrawal of support by four Ministers on September 5.

The UPA leaders yesterday after selecting Mr Koda as the Chief Ministerial canidate handed over a list of 41 Legislators to the Governor and staked claim to form the alternative government.

Talking to reporters after getting the invitation to take oath, Mr Koda said he wanted to take oath at Birsa chowk but the request was not obliged on security ground.

Asked about the Cabinet expansion, he only said all these would be decided at the UPA meeting.

Asked about Coal Minister Sibu Soren, also the JMM president, and his probable role in the state politics, Mr Koda went all praise for him, saying Mr Soren's sacrifice for the state of Jharkhand was remarkable.

It was known to all that what role Mr Soren used to play to get the new Jharkhand, the Chief Minister designate said.

Mr Koda was accompanied by state Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu, Congress MLA Manoj Yadav, RJD Legislature wing leader Annapurna Devi, RJD Legislators - Girinath Singh and Uday Sankar Singh, JMM Legislature wing leader Sudhi Mahto, NCP MLA Kamlesh Singh and Jharkhand Party MLA Anos Ekka besides others.

UNI PRS SJC RN1906